Fifth wheel assembly



Sept. 27, 1949. c, E, poLLARb 2,482,868

FIFTH-WHEEL ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 7, 1947 IN VEN TOR.

0 m M m 8% i Y a v HIIIIHIIUHIWI Se t. 2-7, 1949. c. E. POLLARD 2,482,863

. FIFTH-WHEEL ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 7, 1947 2 SheetsSheet 2 N INVENTOR.

C9021. 5 ASPOLLQED 5M //ZA Patented Sept. 27, 1949 FI]"I.]:[ WHEEL ASSEMBLY Charles E. Pollard, Detroit, Application November 7, 1947, Serial No. 784,732

7 Claims. (Cl. 28033.05)

"This invention relates to an improved fift wheel assembly for a tractor.

An object is to provide animproved fifth wheel assembly which includes fifth wheel mechanism proper, a swingable platform frame for the fifth wheel mechanism proper; hydraulic power mechanism mounted and so coupled with the swingable platform to'efiiciently raise and lower the platform and'to support the same] in elevated position and to effectively absorb the shock of moving the load, an combined in a unitary assembly which may be transported'as a unit and quickly attached as a unit to any conventionaltractor frame. l e

The fifth wheelassembly comprises an assembly main frame, an assembly sub-frame or platform swingably mounted upon the main frame, a fifth wheel platform pivotally mounted upon the sub-frame, power mechanism carried by the main frame and coupled with the sub-frame to efficiently swingably raise and lower the same, and power mechanism mounted on the assembly and coupled with fifth wheel release mechanism.

The assembly framejis so constructed that it may be quickly attached to or detached from conventional frame structure of a tractor frame withoutalteration or re-construction thereof. It is adapted for attachment to any conventional tractor frame in a position superimposing the frame, and with its operatingjmechanism disposed within the frame. The assembly is, therefore, capable of being sold and shipped as a unit adapted for attachment to any conventional tractor by any operator with the use of ordinary was; a

The fifth wheel assembly of this application is an-improvement upon'the fifth wheel assembly shown and described in my United States Patent No. 2,407,447, dated September 10, 1946.

An important object of this invention is that this improved assembly is 'so constructed and mounted upon the tractor, and the hydraulic elevator mechanism is so constructed and coupled therewith, that the fifth wheel device proper may be elevated and supported in the elevated position with the exertion of a minimum amount of power and the power mechanism functions in a highly efficient manner to raisesuch fifth wheel device and to support the same in the elevated position.

Another important object is that the hydraulic power operating mechanism acts upon the swingable platform directly underneath the load carried by the fifth wheel device proper and such platform is not subjected to undesirable load 2 strains and the fifth wheel device proper'is dis- "posed, when elevated, slightly ahead of the rear wheel mechanism proper is not too greatly elevated but occupies a relatively low position when elevated.

A further object is that the construction of the assembly is such that the hydraulic power'elevating and supporting mechanism is so mounted upon the tractor and coupled withthe assembly that the load of the'tractor carried thereby,the draw bar pull, the jar or shock of starting a load,

and the shocks incident to movement of the load are effectively cushioned by the hydraulic power elevating and supporting mechanism.

Suitable power mechanism capable of control from the drivers seat is provided to raise and lower the fifth wheel mechanism and the front end of a trailer coupled therewith. The construction is such that when the front end of a trailer is elevated by the fifth wheel mechanism, the trailer may be moved by the tractor'gfrom one place to another without the draw-bar load imposing undesirable, strains upon the fifth'wheel elevating and supporting mechanism.

Power mechanism operable from the drivers seat'is provided to release clamping'meanswhich normally holds the trailer to the fifth wheel platform of the elevating mechanism of thejass'embly.

Other objects, advantages and meritorious features will more fully appear from the following specification, claims and accompanying drawings wherein: J

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved fifth wheel assembly mounted upon the rear end portion of the frame of a tractor.

Figure 2 is a side elevation partly'in section of the fifth wheel assembly, shown in Figure 1, taken on the line 22 of Figure l, and showing the fifth wheel assembly in the lowered position.

Figure 3 is a side elevation'in the elevated position of the fifth wheel assembly shown in Figure 2, and showing the front end of a trailer coupled therewith. I l

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan of the fifth wheel trailer pin engaging jaw mechanism.

This fifth wheel assembly is adapted for convenient attachment to the conventional frame of any tractor. It comprises a unitary assembly of parts which may be shipped as a unit anywhere for attachment to a tractor. It does not have to be tailored to fit the particular tractor to which it is attached. An ordinary garage mechanic can attach the This adds materially to its value and utility.

In the various figures of the drawing the rear ends of the side frame members of a tractor frafii'e are indicated at In. This frame is suDDQrted upon road wheels I2 by springs I4. the tractor is indicated as I6 in dotted outlinein Figure 1. The drive-shaft which leadsfrom the. transmission I! to the rear axis is iiididttdas i8.

My fifth wheel assembly comprises an assembly frame including a pairiof side frame members 20 hel ri pac depa re t onsh by re o i r members 22. These side frame members 20 are secured to the;fr anie me mbers lg by angular attachmen b e srzt lh r 9 he brackets are shown oneagh side in Figure l. V These bracke rer e s ente .tQ b s w byh i orlthe l $9. ih ira e g le t9 ec the assembly .firemeth a s p r znee ine ra frame h ra e s ree e den u ea st b-frame s mt ri .Pre d This s iram'e assemblycqmprises side framemembers fii hi em.swinea lr. supe te a the. f m upon anaxle 28, which agile i s j ournalled between s w ds fitih hice s anda a mounted upon the'assembly frame members 20. Th P-.i e e..? s t erefere. sw lr. I t s fr m eedi ha e t l ie r d raised eii if ed- 9 .iio ii eefihe sub-frame ir W i t sse e rf eme I 9 essih wn in Figure ,45 1%. elil teii r eee a s w in Figure 3- e sub-frame side memb rs ZQam channel -shaped'i ncifoss section, notq Figure and are he s -i e ih r.,br-ies frame m mb 32 l l fi tfia fi tel eee r l iene n e a t cr ,Tesi QeiEesw-f as it i 9 sa e h assembly f am eereer Pr vi d plates 33 which flare outwardly at their er' i 's' sheen w w at 6iu pon the cross plate :32 atthe rear end of i the sub ffarfne 2s nows. rni fifth wheel sidearm is bfjcionventional constructionladapted t'orbeive'the front nd of the trailer. It exhibits "the slotted supportitrirg -plateshown and apair of hid .b' e i te in l tl ee were. a te- Iait'e by'a's'p ii'g'39 tongagea c onnecting pin 3:5 atrail'er. angular lever lll is pivotally :su ported to w thdra'wthef'plunger -against the spring "at 'to pe'rmit"releaseofthe trailer. H ,si'evr is adaptd to b 'acqu'ateq through suitable saw-e1 'iheriamsin including a lin k 42 connecting the lever with a -power device 43, as :sh w n in Figure 1, which power devii'ce m y be in th'e'f'orm of a vacuhmfpistonand'jcylinder structure 43 connected byaya'cu'um line 44 with the friiahifold 4"5. JAEoiitroIy'alveEG provided with control liandle'dl is p'rovidd. Through this 56 e; devise [t e ever meare to e swun to th'dr'aw'the plii ger asrrtm its'pos usn between t e a we meme at h posi tioifshowndhFigure '1; to rel'easetlie trailer pi'n'35. U I i The sub-frame including the fifth whi'el plat- The saber 4 mechanism. This power mechanism includes hydraulic lifting means in the form of a pair of hydraulic cylinders 50 which are pivotally supported upon a shaft 52 journalled between the depending sides of the rear brackets 24 as shown particularly in Figure 4. Within each cylinder is mounted a piston and the piston rod 56 is pivotally coupled at its upper end with the cross frame plate 32 of the sub-frame 26 to raise and lower such 'sub frameby journal pins 58 and provided to control the hydraulic piston and cyljaws 31.

inder mechanism. This mechanism is that which "is eeirerau shown in my Patent Number 2,407,447, 'd'a'ted'september 10, 1946, and comprises hydraulic pump 19, connected by fluid lines 12, with the "cylinders 5|) *to deliver liquid under pressure traps'mi's'fd arran es shown in Figure 1 The. a eeeer a te te o. be ontrollefi e h ee ve e el.e firelTm by the driver from thejcabof theyehicle, The front end of a trailer is indic ated at B2 Figure '3. trailer is -prcvided with retractible supporting wheeils 62. It also proyid'ed with'a depehdingcouplingpin 35, (Figure 5 adapted to'jcoiip le the trailerwith the tractor. This pin is adapted to be received between the v When th e rear end of the tractor is backed underneath theelevate'd frontend of the trailer, the 'pin enters tlie slot 'in the plate 34, and is grippeld'betw"fnthejaws 37.

The fifth wheel 'platforin mayb elevated, as s own in F gures, tblli'ftthe'xizheld standards 62 as the game, "and "the trader may then be moved as 'desiredfbyfthe tractor. When the trailer has been movedtrot/he properplace, the fifth :whel pla h in Fin ay 'be dropped through s a-anon of tli'e fliyd'rauli'c "mechanism, and the wheeledsta'ndards a "'n"support the front end of'the trailer. f'lifn'v piower device'l3 may be operated 'tbis'w'i'rlg 't'he lever to withdraw the plunger 38'tore1ase the-jaws so that the-coupling pi'n beers-engaged, and the tractor driven awa rromtnefrailr, a It will'begobsrved"fhat'the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 5 isfmo'finted between the assembly rrbiae zo and the swingable sub-frame -26 that even elevated the "diet/bar pull and "t e shock of starting-aload is taken on-the hydra-ulic c'us'lii'on' of'siich'cylinder inechanism. The draw barsuntsa ba aline w 'ithfrespect to the hydraulic cylinders does P not impose un- Q I I hy draiilic mechanism. Illi'e lift "of the hydraulic rfie c lianism provides effective'lev rage the load-elevated and the cente s; the 'fifth'wh eehmechanism is slightly forward of the rear aXl e of the tractor.

What I'claim is: Y I

1. Fifth wheel;;rrrechanism for a tractorhav-ing a frame provided with a rear 1 a-Xle haying road h l a reridedwi hrple p o spaced forwardlyof said axle, a -platform super-imposing that portion of the frame to the rear of said pivots and hinged at-its forward end 'to saidapivots to have its 'r a'r eta sf "abate t'hej'rear'end of the fra rrieon to be'l'o edto rest'jther' pd g fifth wheel ii'pliti g -e pivotally resume form 'i's'adaptdtob'eraisdandlowered by'pewe ripen the fearead'tifthepratrerm'tb'engageend to support the front end of a trailer coupled therewith, said fifth wheel coupling device pivotally coupled with the platform slightly forwardly of the rear axle, hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanism pivotally supported upon the frame to the rear of the rear axle and extending forwardly from its mounting upon the frame overhanging the rear axle and pivotally coupled with said platform substantially directly underneath the mounting of the fifth wheel device upon the platform, =said hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanism operable to elevate and to support the rear end of the platform above the frame.

2. A unitary fifth Wheel assembly for a tractor having a frame and provided with a rear axle comprising, in combination, an assembly main frame having a pair of side frame members connected by cross pieces, said main frame provided with parts adapted to connect the same to the tractor frame forwardly of the rear axle and rearwardly of the rear axle, a sub-frame pivoted at its front end to the front end of the main frame for swingable movement of its rear end thereabove, a fifth wheel platform pivotally supported upon the rear end of the sub-frame, said fifth wheel platform pivotally mounted on the sub-frame ahead of the rear axle, hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanism pivotally supported upon the assembly frame rearwardly of the rear axle and pivotally coupled with the sub-frame substantially directly under the pivotal coupling of the fifth wheel platform therewith to swingably raise and lower the sub-frame.

3. A unitary fifth wheel assembly for a tractor having a frame provided with side frame members comprising, in combination, an assembly main frame having spaced side frame members, means for detachably connecting the side frame members of the assembly main frame with and superimposing the side frame members of the tractor frame, a sub-frame having side frame members receivable between the side frame members of the assembly frame, said sub-frame pivotally coupled at its front end with the front end of the main frame, a fifth wheel platform pivotally mounted upon the rear end of the sub-frame, guide plates projectin upwardly from the side frame members of the assembly main frame, said guide plates being bent outwardly at their upper ends to guide the sub-frame, hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanism pivoted upon the rear 7 end of the main frame and extending forwardly from such mounting and pivoted to the subframe substantially underneath the fifth wheel platform.

4. A unitary fifth wheel assembly for a tractor having a frame provided with side frame members comprising, in combination, an assembly main frame having spaced side frame members, means for detachably connecting the side frame members of the assembly main frame with and superimposing the side frame members of the tractor frame, a sub-frame having side frame members receivable between the side frame members of the assembly frame, means pivotally coupling the sub-frame with the main frame ahead of the rear axle and to the rear of the rear axle including hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanism pivoted to the main frame to the rear of the rear axle and extending forwardly therefrom and pivoted to the sub-frame substantially directly above the rear axle, a fifth 6 wheel platform pivotally mounted upon the subframe slightly forwardly of the rear axle and substantially in line with the pivotal connection of the piston and cylinder mechanism with the main frame and with the sub-frame.

5. A unitary fifth wheel assembly for a tractor having a frame provided 'with side frame members comprising, in combination, an assembly main frame having spaced side frame members, means for detachably connecting the side frame members of the assembly main frame with and superimposing the side frame members of the tractor frame, both ahead of and to the rear of the rear axle, a. fifth wheel platform, fifth wheel platform supporting means for raising and lowering the fifth wheel platform including a set of rearwardly extending linkage pivoted to the main frame to the rear of the rear axle and a set of forwardly extending linkage pivoted to the main frame forwardly of the rear axle, said two sets of linkage being pivotally articulated together substantially directly above the rear axle, said fifth wheel platform being pivoted to said supporting means slightly forwardly of the rear axle and above the pivotal articulation of said two sets of linkage.

6. A unitary fifth wheel assembly for a tractor having a frame provided with side frame members comprising, in combination, an assembly main frame having spaced side frame members, means for detachably connecting the side frame members of the assembly main frame with and superimposing the side frame members of the tractor frame both ahead of and to the rear of the rear axle, a fifth wheel platform, fifth wheel platform supporting means for raising and lowering the same including toggle-like mechanism comprising a forwardly extending set of arms pivoted to the main frame forwardly of the rear axle and a rearwardly extending set of arms pivoted to the main frame rearwardly of the rear axle, said fifth wheel platform pivotally coupled with the two sets of arms above and slightly forwardly of the rear axle and substantially on a line with the pivotal mounting of the opposite ends of the rearwardly extending set of arms.

7. A unitary fifth wheel assembly for a tractor having a frame provided with side frame members comprising, in combination, an assembly main frame having spaced side frame members, means for detachably connecting the side frame members of the assembly main frame with and superimposing the side frame members of the tractor frame both ahead of and to the rear of the rear axle, a fifth wheel platform, fifth wheel platform raising and lowering mechanism pivotally coupled with the main frame ahead of the rear axle and pivotally coupled with the main frame rearwardly of the rear axle, the fifth wheel platform being pivotally coupled with said raising and lowering mechanism slightly forwardly of the rear axle in either the raised or the lowered position of said mechanism.

CHARLES E. POLLARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATE PATENTS Number Name Date 1,908,987 Kuhlman May 16, 1933 2,407,447 Pollard Sept. 10, 1946 

